iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Be More Like DSLR Camera With This Upgrade

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While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still nearly two years away from launching, a new feature has already been rumored for the devices.

iphone 16 pro design cameras
In a blog post today, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reiterated that the main rear camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, which would be a first for the iPhone. The main camera refers to the 48-megapixel Fusion camera, which was also known as the Main or Wide camera on older iPhone models.

With variable aperture, users would be able to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. The main camera on iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this widest aperture. With the iPhone 18 Pro models, users would be able to manually change the aperture, according to this rumor.

Variable aperture is typically a capability seen on professional DSLR/mirrorless cameras from the likes of Sony and Canon.

Kuo first made this claim last month. Today, he added that Dutch manufacturer BE Semiconductor will supply assembly equipment for the aperture blades, which is the mechanical part that would control how much light passes through the lens.

A variable aperture on iPhone 18 Pro models should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background. However, given that smartphones have smaller image sensors due to physical size restraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.

This rumor will likely evolve over time. Kuo did not say if iPhone 18 Pro models will be getting a larger sensor, but such an upgrade would pave the way for meaningful improvements to depth of field. Apple already offers Portrait mode, which artificially makes the background look more blurry behind a person or other subject in a photo. A larger image sensor would enable that "bokeh" effect more naturally on iPhone 18 Pro models.

Variable aperture was previously rumored for at least one iPhone 17 model, but Kuo believes the feature is slated for iPhone 18 Pro models instead.

iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to launch in September 2026.

Tags: iPhone 18, Ming-Chi Kuo
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

Pezimak Avatar
Pezimak
15 months ago
Why do people keep saying this? No phone will ever match a DSLR until they get sensors the same size as a DLSR and lenses to match, no AI or algorithm IMO match the real thing.

Also as above, a DSLR only uses 1 lens on its body at a time.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rychiar Avatar
Rychiar
15 months ago

Why do people keep saying this? No phone will ever match a DSLR until they get sensors the same size as a DLSR and lenses to match, no AI or algorithm IMO match the real thing.

Also as above, a DSLR only uses 1 lens.
as a photographer I've watched this evolve and its gotten to the point where your average person just doesn't care. The photos I used to wow people with years ago can now be taken with portrait mode as long as the subject is still and well lit. Not saying the quality is anywhere near what you'd get from a mirrorless or DSLR but that quality mainly translates to large prints, which few people make. most people just view photos on their phones anymore. Sad but true
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smithrh Avatar
smithrh
15 months ago
SLR means Single Lens Reflex and this is not that, nor will it ever be.

SLR has a (large) mirror that rotates move the light from an optical viewfinder to expose film or sensor (and back).

DSLR just means Digital SLR.

Addition of a variable aperture is a welcome addition, but that's not what makes a camera an SLR or DSLR.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TonyC28 Avatar
TonyC28
15 months ago

Why do people keep saying this? No phone will ever match a DSLR until they get sensors the same size as a DLSR and lenses to match, no AI or algorithm IMO match the real thing.

Also as above, a DSLR only uses 1 lens.
Who said it will match? The headline says the iPhone camera would be more like a DSLR, nothing about matching it.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CharlesShaw Avatar
CharlesShaw
15 months ago
Since cameras have apparently become the driving force in smartphone innovation, perhaps it's time for a camera maker (Sony?) to incorporate a smart phone into one of their mirrorless cameras. Everyone is already accustomed to carrying a large heavy phone anyhow, right?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lord Solo Avatar
Lord Solo
15 months ago
More bokeh comes from a more open aperture. Closing the aperture will not increase the bokeh effect, it will decrease it. This will only be useful in very bright light situations. That’s really it. Not sure what value it adds unless the sensor gets physically much bigger.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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